Track Vols Getting Ready For The NCAA Outdoor Championships

Posted: Mon 8:18 PM, May 21, 2007&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Tue 5:13 AM, May 22, 2007

Tennessee Men's Track and Field Team moved up to Sixth in last week's Trackwire Poll after winning the SEC Outdoor Championship. The Vols, who were ranked seventh , are projected to score 31-points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Rubin Williams claimed the conference crown in the 200 and is ranked second in the event. Team captain Chris Helwick, who finished second at last year's NCAA championships in the decathlon, is ranked third in the event. Freshman Evander Wells, who holds the second-fastest time recorded in the NCAA so far this season in the 200, is ranked seventh in the event. Wells and Williams are also ranked ninth and 11th, respectively, in the 100.

The Vols 4x100 relay team of Matthieu Pritchett, Wells, Kyle Stevenson and Williams is ranked first this week after winning the conference title. Team captain Jangy Addy moved to fifth on the decathlon rankings with his first conference championship in the event. Sophomore Matthew Maloney is ranked eighth in the javelin after finishing second in the event last weekend. Tennessee's 4x400 relay team is ranked 12th.

Defending outdoor champion Florida State leads the rankings with 54 points. SEC runner-up LSU is ranked second with 41 points and is followed by Auburn in third with 44. Southern California has 36 points this weekend and Oregon has 35 to round out the top five. Arkansas (12th-tie, 17 points), Mississippi (15th-tie, 15 points), Georgia (19th-tie, 14 points) and South Carolina (23rd-tie, 13 points) are also ranked, giving the SEC seven teams in this week's poll which is more than any other conference.

The Trackwire 25 projects a hypothetical score for the NCAA meet, factoring in injury reports and other variables supported by information gathered from coaches and NCAA-qualifying competitions across the country. This projection is generated by scoring the Dandy Dozen, a power ranking of the top-12 athletes and relay squads in each NCAA event.

The factors used to build the D12 include quantitative values that measure performances in past major competitions (such as conference championships, national championships and Olympic competition), durability and freedom from injuries, demonstrated ability to compete well in multiple rounds of competition, ability in other events, head-to-head competition with other top athletes, and personal or seasonal bests. The complete poll can be found at www.trackwire.com.

The Vols jumped to sixth this week in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll.

Florida State, the defending outdoor champion, leads the rankings. SEC foes LSU and Auburn are ranked second and third. Southern California and Oregon round out the top five. Arkansas is ranked 12th and Mississippi is 18th, giving the SEC five teams ranked in the poll that recognizes the top-20 teams in the nation.

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